Defence

Virgil Van Dijk is an automatic pick given his outstanding form this season. He has been imperious and looks every inch a £75million player.

He is joined by Aymeric Laporte in central defence. The French defender – who is surprisingly yet to earn a senior international cap – has been central to City’s title challenge this season.

Andrew Robertson takes the left-back berth. The Scotland international has been an £8million bargain and with Benjamin Mendy always injured and Oleksandr Zinchenko yet to establish himself at City, it is an obvious choice.

Kyle Walker takes the right-back slot just ahead of England team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold owing to his added experience in a title race with little to pick between the pair.

Midfield

Perhaps the hardest selection, but it is an all Manchester City midfield.

If Fabinho had played more rather than being eased in to life in England he may have edged Fernandinho but the Manchester City man gets the nod to provide the steel and defensive cover. They both average the same amount of interceptions per game but Fernandinho makes more tackles.

Kevin De Bruyne’s injury-hit season does not erase his quality and a fully-fit De Bruyne would make any team in the world.

It may be a deeper role for Raheem Sterling but the England international also needs to be in the team.

He has taken his game to a new level under Pep Guardiola, scoring nine top-flight goals and claiming six assists – with an average of 4.2 dribbles per game.

Forwards

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (right) has netted 13 times in the Premier League this season. (Nick Potts/PA)

At one time it would have seemed improbable to omit Sergio Aguero but Manchester City’s all-time top scorer misses the cut as Liverpool dominate the front line.